Movie Review: Failure To Launch (2006)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Director: Tom Dey

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Baker, Bradley Cooper, Zooey Deschanel

Running Time: 97 minutes

Synopsis: Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) is 35-years-old and still living with his exasperated parents (Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw). They hire interventionist Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to fake a romance with Tripp and encourage him to move out. 

What Works Well: Director Tom Dey adds plenty of breezy fun and frolic to the otherwise standard rom-com standard. Paula has a caustic roommate (Zooey Deschanel) at war with a mockingbird, while Tripp has two friends (Bradley Cooper and Justin Bartha) equally comfortable living with their parents. Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker make for an attractive couple, with Terry Bradshaw and Kathy Bates adding depth to the supporting cast. A running joke about Tripp being out-of-alignment with nature and his profession as a boat broker provide opportunities for good laughs and wind-swept scenery.

What Does Not Work As Well: The central premise is as flimsy and unlikely as can be expected.

Conclusion: Lightweight entertainment enlivened by high-voltage star power.



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